“It—it’s cheek, I know, but it’s true. When I first came—” then, with a
swift propitiatory glance at Anita—“when you first let me come—the
Nights weren’t like this. You weren’t like this, any of you——”
“Upon—my—word!” said Miss Howe with her benevolent chuckle. “Nita!
Listen to the infant!”
“Like what?” Mr. Flood moved uneasily.
The Baxter girl turned to him enthusiastically.
“Oh, I used to think you such wonderful people——”
“Did you now?” Miss Howe teased her.
“Let be! let be!” said Mr. Flood impatiently. “Well, dear lady?”
“Oh, I did! I’d read all your stuff. I believe I could write out _The
Orchid House_ from memory still.”